bonusFlower Foods Made Simple:
A List of All the Products You Need to Properly Care for Your Cut Flowers

In our recent survey of florists’ care and handling practices — the results of which are published in our June issue (“Care and Handling: What’s Really Going On,” Page 61) — we mentioned a number of products (generically) and explained when and how they should be used in a flower shop.

To help you identify and purchase care and handling products (contact your favorite wholesaler), here is a list of brand names for each type of product, from the three largest suppliers. An explanation of each solution type follows the list.

1. Full-dose flower-food solutions (sometimes called vase solutions or preservative solutions) contain a scientific balance of acidifiers and biocides as well as nutrients (sugar), to promote bud development, stabilize color and enhance fragrance.

Additional ingredients may include growth regulators or anti-ethylene substances and agents to draw out certain salts, dirt and debris. Full-dose flower foods are designed for use with flowers that are ready for sale.

2. Low-dose flower-food solutions (a.k.a. holding solutions, storage solutions, display solutions or processing solutions) have a balance of acidifiers and biocides, like full-dose flower foods, but less sugar than full-dose flower foods. They are designed for use at the grower and wholesaler levels as well as in retail shops to keep blooms healthy and turgid but not popping open.

3. Hydration solutions are used at every step of distribution chain, from grower to wholesaler to retailer, to unplug flower stems and stimulate the flow of solution into stems. They contain:

• bactericides - to control microbial growth in the solution and stems
• a buffer (acidifier) - to lower the pH of the water/solution
• a wetting agent - to accelerate water uptake.

No nutrient (sugar) is included in these solutions.

For wilt-sensitive flowers like roses, Hydrangeas and Gerberas, hydration solutions are used as a pretreatment and again each time dry-packed flowers are processed.